Gov. Pawlenty says he plans to veto legislation that would grant end-of-life rights to same-sex partners.

The bill passed in the Minnesota Senate today (Wednesday) and in the House yesterday. It allows surviving same-sex partners and other unmarried couples to have control over the remains of their deceased partners. But Pawlenty says current law already allows for such designation. The Republican governor claims the bill’s supporters are trying to stoke political controversy.

“I think the effort that’s underway in this bill is simply a political game to get the concept or the wording domestic partner into state law,” Pawlenty said. “And I would suggest the Legislature focus on addressing our budget issues rather than trying to tee up divisive social issues.”

The sponsor of the Senate bill, Sen. Yvonne Prettner Solon, DFL-Duluth, said the measure is a matter of fairness. She urged the governor to reconsider his opposition.

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Everyone in this world deserves the right to love and to be loved in return, to have someone you love with you at the end of life…to help and support you is just human decency. I can not believe Tim Pawlenty’s lack of compassion…these are very sad days for Minnesota.

Katie Murphy

A simple bill for decency to gay people. they can live in a loving relationship for decades, and when one dies, the parents of the deceased, who didnt speak to him/her for decades, and maybe threw the person out of the house at age 18, can come and take over the situation.

And Palwenty would veto the bill? Good job gov – I;ve just changed poltiical parties.

don’t you know what “decency” means. And how Jesus, in his second of only two commandments, said we are :to love thy neighbor as thyself”.

Karl

Tim Pawlenty is the ugliest, most hateful governor this state has ever had. Ever.

Ambrose Charpentier

There’s nothing Pawlenty likes better than to whack some group whose votes and support he doesn’t think he needs. Gay people, Indian tribes, and the list goes on. He just likes whacking people, but he cares enough about his own ambitions not to whack people whose votes he might need later. I keep expecting to see “666” appear on his forehead. The end of this legislative session might just make it happen.

newemi

Okay, same sex couples can already do this…they just have to put together a health care directive, which every couple should have regardless. And why when House members tried to include opposite sex couples that are in long-term relationships to be included they said no?

Think about it everyone-it isn’t about decency-it is about putting same-sex language into Minnesota statute to use as a stepping stone to same sex marriage.

But sure-run with all your hate against someone, the Governor,-I ask all of you where is your decency, or wait you have none if you don’t like them? Little two-faced, huh?

Ambrose Charpentier

newemi – Same-sex couples with health care directives have been denied end-of-life rights for their partners. That was part of the testimony at hearings for this bill. And married couples don’t have to go to the extra trouble to create a health care directive. They have rights conferred by their marriage.

And as for unmarried opposite-sex partners, they have the option to marry. Perhaps you are unaware that same-sex couples do not have the option to marry in this state.

I guess it’s okay for the governor to do hateful things because he’s “likable” (and an alleged heterosexual). When gay people get mad about being treated as second-class citizens, they’re “running with their hatred.”

I’m a neutral observer (not Republican, not from Minnesota), but this astonishes me. I thought Pawlenty was more tolerant than this. Seems to me like he’s gearing up for a 2012 Presidential nomination and needs to pander to the radical Christofascist wing of the GOP to have any chance of that. Pity.

Marc Paige

At least now we won’t have to worry about Pawlenty winning any national office

Levintow

If anyone’s playing politics, its Pawlenty.

Peter the saint

Let’s Party Like It’s Two thousand and Four HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA